Electric Vehicle Charging

Image credit: Matt Alexander / PA

ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) SALES ON THE UP

The UK government has introduced a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and small vans from 2035 through the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate. As the UK transitions from a fossil-fuel led economy to a net zero one powered by clean, green, renewable energy, the demand for EVs will continue to increase rapidly.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers (SMMT) reveals that the UK registered its one millionth electric car in January 2024. Moreover, SMMT figures show 20,935 EVs were sold in January 2024, up from 17,297 EVs sold in January 2023, a year-on-year increase of 21%, representing a 14.7% market share.  SMMT figures also show that more affordable, used EV sales were up by over 90% in 2023.

NEED FOR CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE

To date, just like the rollout of broadband, public EV charging investment has focussed on urban areas, leaving rural communities behind, creating ‘charging blackspots’ in large parts of the country. This project ensures that the local area has access to modern, reliable, ultra-rapid public EV charging. 

This project chimes with West Berkshire Council’s Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle Strategy which encourages the delivery of charging points across the district.

THE EV CHARGING STATION COMPRISES:

  • A mix of ultra-rapid (up to 350 kW) and rapid (43-100 kW) charging points which could allow up to 12 electric cars at the same time, no matter the make or model.

  • A small rest area with toilet facilities

  • New hedge and tree planting with bird and bat boxes to ensure that there is a biodiversity net gain, ensuring that the local ecosystem is enhanced.

THERE ARE OTHER FACILITIES IN THE AREA, DO WE NEED ANOTHER ONE?

The availability of powerful, convenient and reliable charging facilities remains one of the main concerns for drivers thinking about the switch to an EV.  Providing more EV charging sites, especially in rural areas, is critical to helping the growth in zero emission vehicles and thus meeting the Government’s wider Net Zero plans. 

To date, Zap-Map figures show that 55,301 public chargers are installed in the UK compared, with only 17,424 installed in 2023, compared to a Government target of 300,000 public chargers by 2030.  This project will help close the gap and help the switch to EVs.

The ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging points (up to 350 kW) proposed can fully charge a typical car in as little as 20 minutes, making it the fastest and most viable hub in the local area.

The electricity used to charge vehicles at the Eco Hub will have been generated cleanly from the on-site solar panels. Other facilities draw directly from the National Grid, which may come from fossil-fuel power stations, exposing them to the cost variability of “grid electricity” and reducing electricity available to power homes and businesses.